false13140113true5836766read1true935890currently-reading26true935889to-read77false2366524for-fun18false2366516for-work15false2366520for-school12false2366522nerd-literature2false7268699taking-a-break-from-the-norton-anth
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'People of the Book']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/28304545
to: People of the Book (Hardcover)byGeraldine Brooks bookshelves: for-fun
I liked this book for one simple reason: nothing makes me happier than finding things (notes, receipts, crumbs, anything really) in the books I get from libraries. The best is Cheeto stains where you can see thumb prints from previous readers. I end up really hoping that they enjoyed their book and their snack! I even make up
How could I not like a book that does the same thing I do? I admit at points it was very contrived and predictable. The romance between the protagonist and the museum dude drove me insane. I did enjoy the flashbacks though. The writing didn't bother me! Lately, I have put down a number of current fiction books due to the pitifully poor writing. English teachers get stuck reading the classics which makes for little tolerance towards crap. I am even recommending this to my mom who also doesn't tolerate second-rate writing. High praise indeed!
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46274681
to: Last Night I Dreamed of Peace: The Diary of Dang Thuy Tram (Hardcover)byDang Thuy Tram bookshelves: taking-a-break-from-the-norton-anth
I wish there was a "I tried, I really tried to like this book" star. You know half-way between didn't like and it was ok.
I couldn't even finish this book, and that rarely happens with me. I've plowed through all sorts of crap as a reader.
I truly tried. I don't know what happened. My best guess is that I am surrounded by freshmen angst and drama all day, so I don't really want to read about someone's crush and angsty male/female drama. I wish Tram would have written more about the Communist party issues or even more about the medical.
Maybe during summer break.
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'The captive princess: Sophia Dorothea of Celle']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74956231
The captive princess: Sophia Dorothea of Celle (Unknown Binding)
byPaul Morand bookshelves: to-read
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'Company of Liars']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74955846
Company of Liars (Hardcover)
byKaren Maitland bookshelves: to-read
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74955742
Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
byAlison Weir bookshelves: to-read
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/74949015
to: Nefertiti: The Book of the Dead (Paperback)byNick Drake bookshelves: for-fun,
taking-a-break-from-the-norton-anth
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
]]>
<![CDATA[Tracy added 'The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Eighth Edition, Volume 1: The Middle Ages through the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century']]>
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/60229994
The Norton Anthology of English Literature, Eighth Edition, Volume 1: The Middle Ages through the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century (Paperback)
byStephen Greenblatt bookshelves: currently-reading,
for-fun,
nerd-literature
Have set a goal to read every selection in this tome! I might be a glutton for punishment, but I want to finish in one year or less.
On page 135. Have found good stuff in here that I wasn't required to read before. Love the biting tribute to William the Conqueror after his death. Also, enjoyed some of the ancient poetry. Have underlined quite a few lines, words, phrases, etc.
Only a million pages to go.
Up to page 255...starting up Chaucer has been a little bit rough. Oh Lord, I haven't even started work yet this fall. This is not good...maybe I'll have to read on my prep hour???
Damn that middle-English.
At page 290...having to teach 9th grade English and attempting to read this is kicking my butt. Not so much the teaching, but the hours of grading horrible writing, but onto Piers Plowman (sp?)right now. Again that middle-English! Am questioning myself and my insane goal right now. Even freaking Milton will be a nice break from middle-English. I'm afraid to even look and see what unknown treasure/horror is coming my way in volume B.
sigh
Piers Plowman...Better than expected. Have completely lost track of what page I am on at this point in time. Briefly looked ahead to volume B, and I discovered that will probably be slow slogging as well. The only thing that will save me is previous reading of both King Lear and 12th Night. Sonnet knowledge doesn't hurt either. Although, I am a leary of reading entire Faerie Queen. Had to read parts for another class, but the whole thing.
Back to Piers, reading plays is a lot harder for me than I was expecting. Still far more enjoyable than anticipated. So guess that is good.
Trucking along...looking forward to jury duty next week. Will help me advance to at least page 400!
]]>